Our aim is to be a leading center of excellence within the field of national and international public health and to promote high quality research, education, and applied knowledge. The primary areas of research are sexual and reproductive health and rights, maternal and child health, youth health, social capital, health policy, marginalized populations, mental health, violence, substance abuse, risk factors for chronic disease, and environmental stress. A key focus is to utilize accumulated knowledge to provide expertise for interventions in order to improve health and health systems. Research and interventions in low- and middle-income countries has primarily focused on Africa and South-east Asia. Our Division also maintains a number of large data bases that represent a unique and valuable resource within the field of social epidemiology. We collaborate with national and international research teams, institutions, and organizations, including NGOs in low- and middle income countries.